If a building is likely to flood repeatedly, buying and removing it is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce long-term flood damage.

Storm Water Services has purchased more than 325 flood-prone houses, apartment buildings and businesses that were in the regulated floodplain. These buildings were in more than a dozen neighborhoods along various creeks. Because of the buyouts, more than 600 families have been moved out of the highest-risk sections of local floodplains.

Floodplain buyouts are voluntary. Owners are not forced to sell. Some buyouts are funded completely with local money. Other buyouts also use grant funding from outside sources.

Each of the 5,000 individual properties in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s regulated floodplains has been given a flood risk score based on
several flood-related factors. Storm Water Services looks at the flood risk scores for individual properties, for groups of properties,
and at the overall benefits to the community.

After a destructive flood, the Quick Buy program sometimes has been used to purchase qualifying buildings with significant flood damage.

2011: 21 houses purchased

2008: 37 houses purchased

2003: 9 houses purchased

Grant-funded buyouts

In the past, most money for Charlotte-Mecklenburg floodplain buyouts came from a combination of federal, state and local funds. To qualify, the property had to meet criteria set by the federal and/or state governments.

Fewer properties now meet the federal and state criteria. In addition, Congress has reduced funding for these types of federal grants.

Sometimes, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police or Charlotte Fire Department crews conduct training exercises at buildings that have been acquired through the Floodplain Buyout Program.